The Thursday letters page tries to predict the contents of today’s Nintendo Partner Showcase, as one reader thinks the next gen Xbox console is doomed.

Games Inbox is a collection of our readers’ letters, comments, and opinions. To join in with the discussions yourself email gamecentral@metro.co.uk

Worrying times
We’ve had a lot of talk back and forth about Nintendo recently and, to be honest, I felt people were being a bit silly claiming they’d made serious mistakes. But to hear Nintendo themselves say the Switch 2 has underperformed in the West is a bit of a shock. They seem to be talking about profit more than sales, but their whole business has been based on relatively low budget hardware and software that is hugely profitable.

You change that and suddenly the whole foundation of the company is at risk. I’m surprised they didn’t realise this, but then obviously they couldn’t have predicted the RAM shortages and tariffs. Even so, they’ve stuck their neck out further than they usually do and they’re in danger of having it cut off.

Well, maybe not that much danger but I’m more worried about them now than I was during the Wii U era, even though the Switch 2 has sold tons and the Wii U was a disaster right out the gate. It was recoverable though, which is exactly what happened. I really don’t see what Nintendo does next to get back to its old position, especially when they refuse to announce any decently exciting games.
Acheron

Improper Direct
It’s hard to know what to say when you realise that when there is finally a ‘proper’ Nintendo Direct it’s going to be the fifth one of the year. Maybe even the sixth if they slip an Indie World one in before it. Are they trolling or is their line-up for the year just really behind? As usual with Nintendo, we’ll never know for sure.

So what’s going to be announced on Thursday’s Partner Showcase? I have a nasty feeling it’s not going to be much we haven’t heard of before. There’s an awful lot of third party games, like Elden Ring, that have been announced but haven’t got a release date yet, or we haven’t seen running on Switch 2.

I don’t know about you, but I don’t need to sit through 15 minutes of Elden Ring with its unique Master Sword item, or whatever they add to it. Nor do I need to see any more of 007 First Light or whatever else they have. Here’s hoping there’ll be some welcome surprises but the golden rule with these showcase is to expect nothing and never be disappointed.
Corden

Console-esque
Whatever the next gen Xbox is next year, or whenever, I’ll bet it’s not really a console as we’ve come to think of them. It’s not going to be a new format, that only runs the games made for it, because nobody but Microsoft is ever going to want to make them.

It’s just going to be a PC, with as much AI nonsense installed on it as Microsoft can cram onto the hard drive, or in the cloud or however they pitch it. They’ve already said it’s going to be hyper expensive and that combined with it not actually being a console is going to be a disaster, I believe.

They would’ve been better off sticking with their portable idea because at least in that case there’s not really a clear leader for PC handhelds. Steam Deck is number one but it could easily be improved on it’s not that much more successful than its rivals.
Zeiss

Email your comments to: gamecentral@metro.co.uk

Phoning it in
RE: Lurgie. The Fallout TV show has been fine. Entertaining enough to me, at least. I’ve seen some diehards moaning about aspects of the show, but it hasn’t affected me. I’m not a lore buff, so I don’t care about any changes brought in by the showrunners. Only thing is, I hope they have an ending planned and not, like Westworld, it just limps along until it’s cancelled.
Bobwallett
PS: Whilst I appreciate Walton Goggins making an appearance in Fallout 76, his performance kinda reminds me of Krusty’s recording session.

Inflation problems
I see they have the new Monster Hunter Stories 3 amiibo in stock to pre-order on Nintendo Store UK. They look amazing and very colourful, but very expensive compared to the price of amiibo which came out during the Switch 1’s lifetime. They also have the Super Mario Bros. Wonder amiibo available to pre-order.

I particularly like the Mario elephant character going down a green pipe! I will be picking up some of them in future to add to my collection.
Andrew J.
PS: On a different subject what is GameCentral’s opinion on the game The Stone of Madness for PlayStation 5? as I am thinking of picking it up on physical.

GC: We haven’t played it, we’re afraid. You’re right about the amiibo though. Those Ratha ones look great, but the price is well outside the impulse purchase range they used to be.

Customer service
Even in the early 2000s, as a 21-year-old gamer, I remember being trolled for liking Nintendo/Pokémon by a certain member of staff (if anyone’s from Wolverhampton).

Years later, I had an issue with ‘Dave’ in 2020, regarding returning a still-sealed GAME in the Merry Hill store.

Besides those idiots, GAME’s trade-in/cash was always lower than GameStation’s. All GAME had was the Reward Points and once I spent those, I never really went back.

GAME got jealous of GameStation, bought them and then shut them down.

Then they never have any new releases in store on launch day, which meant a wasted journey so I’m personally glad they’re going/gone.

As regards the high street, it’ll be Smyths or Argos for me, regarding brand new, or CeX or eBay for second-hand.
LeeDappa

GTApocalypse
I’d like to echo a reader’s concern from last month, where he worried what will happen to the rest of the games industry once GTA 6 comes out. Whether you’re interested in the game or not, it’s fascinating to see how massive the hype is for it, but it’s going to leave such a crater I don’t think many people are going to be buying or playing else for months.

That’s a bigger problem when it comes out at Christmas than in May and it’s particularly bad news for Call Of Duty, which has had a really bad couple of years. But how long will GTA 6 be the only game in town? Months and months into 2027 I’m sure. And what will be the first big game to dare go up against it and break the chain? Whatever it is, good luck to the developer.
Crumpton

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It’s a mad, mad, mad, mad world
As some people have kind of touched on already, I think a lot of the problems with the games industry at the moment don’t have anything much to do with publishers but the wider business world which is, not to put too finer point on it, nuts right now.

The reason RAM is expensive isn’t because it’s hard to get the raw materials or even because of Trump’s tariffs, it’s because it’s all being used for AI. And when that bubble bursts – and I believe it will this year – suddenly it’s all going to become dirt cheap. Which may sound a good thing but the wider effects on the economy, of companies finally admitting AI is almost worthless, is going to be horrendous. So that’s something to look forward to.

We’re in a situation where the Switch 2 has become the fast-selling console ever and yet it’s still seen as underperforming. What was it supposed to do? Become the fast-selling console in multiple dimensions at once?

Nothing has made sense since Covid, as far as I’m concerned, but the last couple of years, with the rise of AI, has been full on lunacy. The reason stocks are down for video game companies? Because investors think Google’s Project Gemini is going to make video game development redundant. As if you’re going to type in a prompt and get God Of War out the other end.

For a sensible, financially conservative company like Nintendo all of this must be especially infuriating, but they’ve just got to ride out like the rest of us, and hope that sanity returns at some point soon.
Ashton Marley

Inbox also-rans
I have to admit, even I thought that Fallout website reveal was going to be the Fallout 3 remaster. Kind of funny that it wasn’t. Maybe they’ll go for an April launch, so that it’s exactly the same as Oblivion?
Ken

Was that another case of Inbox magic, with the reader talking about GTA 6 Trailer 3 being around the time of Summer Game Fest and then the next day we get Take-Two talking about just that! Didn’t realise the magic works even on Rockstar.
Whaler9

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The small print
New Inbox updates appear every weekday morning, with special Hot Topic Inboxes at the weekend. Readers’ letters are used on merit and may be edited for length and content.

You can also submit your own 500 to 600-word Reader’s Feature at any time via email or our Submit Stuff page, which if used will be shown in the next available weekend slot.

You can also leave your comments below and don’t forget to follow us on Twitter.

MORE: Games Inbox: When will GTA 6 Trailer 3 be released?

MORE: Games Inbox: Are you sad to see the end of GAME stores?

MORE: Games Inbox: What will a post-GTA 6 video games industry be like?

The police were called to a sudden death in Peterborough on Wednesday (February 4).

Cambridgeshire Police were called to a street in Peterborough after reports of a “sudden death”. The police attended to Gladstone Street in Peterborough just before 11am on Wednesday (February 4).

The street had been closed off near Russell Street to allow emergency services to attend to the area. The East of England Ambulance Service also attended.

The police have confirmed an investigation into the incident is ongoing. Further details have not been released.

A spokesperson for Cambridgeshire Police said: “This is a sudden death, we are at the scene and investigations are ongoing. We don’t have anything further at this time.”

To get more breaking news and top stories delivered directly to your phone, join our new WhatsApp community. Click this link to receive your daily dose of CambridgeshireLive content.

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OUR much-loved astrologer Meg sadly died in 2023 but her column will be kept alive by her friend and protégée Maggie Innes.

Read on to see what’s written in the stars for you today. 

♈ ARIES

March 21 to April 20

A path you feel you’ve been left to walk alone, at home or work, can change into something shared.

But it’s important to carry your pride lightly and be ready to meet someone else halfway.

MYSTIC MEG

The Saturn/moon mix in your ambitions sector keeps you moving forward

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MYSTIC MEG

The more you learn, the more invaluable you become

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If you’re in love, don’t compare your bond to others, as it is unique.

Single? Look again at an old friend who’s got back in touch.

Get all the latest Aries horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

♉ TAURUS

April 21 to May 21

As the moon and Saturn spar, it sets the scene for a day of dealing with big emotions – in ways that focus on the future rather than the past.

A time of assuming certain situations can’t be changed is over, as you start to realise how much power you do have.

If you’re single, this can be a day of foxy “F” flirtation.

Get all the latest Taurus horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

♊ GEMINI

May 22 to June 21

A dream home can appear back on your horizon when you are not looking.

But straight away you will sense what is right about a certain new address, or way of altering the one you have.

This time you should be able to decide your own timeline.

Later, the way you help others be creative can wake up something special.

Get all the latest Gemini horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

♋ CANCER

June 22 to July 22

Pluto’s ability to muddle up words and make mischief may be strong – but your own natural sense of right and wrong is stronger.

So you can steer any conversation through, and really connect with someone who has felt so out of reach lately.

The luck factor enhances your eye for bargains and big potential prize pots.

Get all the latest Cancer horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

♌ LEO

July 23 to August 23

Holding firm on a spending promise can reap rewards later.

So even though temptation is all around, do stay strong.

There are love words you are longing to share, too, but it is important to choose the right time rather than rush in.

A work team that looks so unconventional can still be very successful.

Get all the latest Leo horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

♍ VIRGO

August 24 to September 22

First thing today is a great time to put together thoughts about your talents and skills – because later there may be an unexpected chance to share these.

Instead of modesty, be honest about what you do well, because the perfect match, in love or work, can be waiting.

The luck factor calls at a black door.

Get all the latest Virgo horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

♎ LIBRA

September 23 to October 23

You have a sixth sense about who thinks and feels the way you do underneath, even if on the surface they show no sign.

This is something to trust if you are putting together a team, or considering your place in a couple.

Already in love? Pluto adds passion that’s deep and a little dangerous, and you will adore it.

Get all the latest Libra horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

♏ SCORPIO

October 24 to November 22

The fastest-thinking and most outrageous planets in the zodiac connect across your chart and you are ready to make waves, home and away.

A writing-rich role at work can be part of this, or a move in your own time to take your wildest ideas seriously.

In love, nothing and no one is out of reach when you try.

Get all the latest Scorpio horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

♐ SAGITTARIUS

November 23 to December 21

So many emotions may flow to the surface and surprise your happy-go-lucky self.

This can be a signal you do not feel the same way inside as you show on the surface about certain people or situations.

It is a positive thing because now you get the chance to find new balance.

A career wild card can be a winner

Get all the latest Sagittarius horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

♑ CAPRICORN

December 22 to January 20

If family plans clash, this can be positive by helping all sides find a future that works for everyone.

But keep talking in the middle, do not retreat to two distant sides.

If you are in love, your day may start predictably, but there’s passion mischief later, so enjoy it.

Single? A chat about a bill can start something.

Get all the latest Capricorn horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

♒ AQUARIUS

January 21 to February 18

Transforming power is very strong early in the day.

If you have delayed some changes, set them in motion as soon as you can, even if you do not feel ready.

Later, your learning ability is in the spotlight, and this time you can retain facts and figures you need.

But also remember a face that could rewrite your destiny.

Get all the latest Aquarius horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

♓ PISCES

February 19 to March 20

If you sense a team will not work the way it is, you have the ability to change yourself, but not anyone else.

So think carefully before you action this.

Money-wise, you may have stepped back so others could take control – but if you now see a smart solution, say so.

Luck and love can both lead you towards “N”.

Get all the latest Pisces horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

A six-point deficit to Arsenal in the Premier League is not quite a state of affairs that calls for Manchester City to throw everything at the cups, but we might be approaching that scenario.

City are certainly strong favourites to reach the League Cup final, taking a 2-0 lead into tonight’s home second leg against holders Newcastle United.

Pep Guardiola’s team will play Arsenal at Wembley on March 22 if they progress, around a month before the teams play at the Etihad in the league. There is also a chance that they could play in the Champions League quarter-finals.

This weekend looks like another significant one in the title race, with Arsenal hosting Sunderland and City travelling to Anfield where they have a grim record. Perhaps the danger to City tonight is Guardiola rotating his team with an eye on that game and being caught out.

Newcastle certainly have the speed and attacking menace to trouble an unstable City defence, but they will have to improve on a dreadful away record. Across the league and the Champions League this season, Newcastle have won just three of 16 matches on the road. They need to win by two goals just to send the tie to extra time.

Eddie Howe lined up with a roving front three of Harvey Barnes, Anthony Gordon and Anthony Elanga against Liverpool at the weekend, and against a City team who like to play the offside trap, prioritising pace could be wise. Alternatively, he could take the view that Yoanne Wissa and Nick Woltemade are fresh as they go in search of goals.

Newcastle hope to have Bruno Guimaraes back in their midfield, but they remain without Tino Livramento and Joelinton.

Will Guardiola take this opportunity to rest Erling Haaland now Omar Marmoush is available again? Haaland has scored just twice in 10 appearances since the turn of the year.

Full team news on the way shortly.

Even without coming to the Winter Olympics in Italy, Donald Trump and his polarising policies and provocations are dominating, even distracting.

Of all the security agents chosen to protect the official US delegation, ICE is in Milan for the expected opening ceremony visits by vice president JD Vance and secretary of state Marco Rubio.

They are the Immigration and Customs Enforcement personnel called a “militia that kills” by Milan mayor Beppe Sala following the deaths of two Americans last month in Minneapolis.

There have been attempts by the Italian government to allay fears about their deployment, insisting they won’t have powers to conduct policing in the streets.

But just their presence here has been a concern for protesting locals in Milan.

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Add in how tensions have been stoked in recent weeks between Mr Trump and Europe over his threats to capture Greenland, and it all raises the potential for a hostile atmosphere greeting American officials and athletes in the opening ceremony at the San Siro home of AC and Inter Milan on Friday night.

So, I asked International Olympic Committee (IOC) president Kirsty Coventry: would jeering be freedom of expression, or is there a need for spectators to show respect?

“I hope that the opening ceremony is seen by everyone ⁠as an opportunity ‍to be respectful of each other,” Ms Coventry said, reflecting on seeing athletes from different countries mixing in the official Olympic village in Milan.

“It was a real opportunity to put into perspective how we could be.

“And so I hope that the opening ceremony will do that and will be a reminder for everyone how we could be.”

US Games on the horizon

Ms Coventry is yet to meet Mr Trump despite the Los Angeles Olympics being just two years away.

But Olympic chiefs are facing pressure from IOC members in Africa to tackle concerns about the impact of Mr Trump’s travel bans on delegations.

Officials from Ethiopia and Djibouti challenged LA 2028 chiefs during meetings in Milan about the need for equal access for all countries to the games – beyond athletes.

Ms Coventry’s own Zimbabwe is subject to restrictions for some citizens for entry to the US.

Her lack of contact with Mr Trump after a year leading the IOC contrasts with the US leaders’ regular meetings with FIFA president Gianni Infantino, although his World Cup is sooner – coming this summer.

Read more from Sky News:
Trump orders 700 immigration officers to leave Minnesota
All you need to know about the Winter Olympics 2026

For now, the IOC moving towards a ban on transgender women competing in women’s sport is a policy that will placate Mr Trump.

And Ms Coventry has said: “As we get closer to the Olympics you will see the relations continue… and only get stronger.”

But first she has to get through a Winter Olympics that could be a tricky and challenging environment for American athletes in Milan-Cortina.

Moore’s team-mates created just seven chances between them at Hibs on Sunday.

He registered five alone on Wednesday, while his seven dribbles were also higher than any other player.

Game state has to come into that, of course. At the weekend, Rangers were playing against 11 men, away to a top-six side. Struggling Kilmarnock were a man and a goal down after a few minutes on Wednesday.

A goal-scoring performance from the England youth international in the Old Firm derby win at Celtic last month looked set to ignite his Ibrox career, but seven games without a goal contribution followed.

Despite that, the Ibrox side just appear a livelier and more unpredictable proposition with Moore in the line-up.

A mid-season injury and squad rotation has meant Moore has failed to feature in 12 of Rangers’ 25 league matches, but Rohl is now demanding consistency as his side attempt to reel Hearts in.

“We know Mikey, that should be the level for him again and again,” the Rangers head coach told BBC Scotland.

“This is the next step for him, consistency. But I will not speak about individual performances, it’s about the team.”

“Cervical screening can be difficult for some women for many reasons, like if they have had a bad previous experience, they are menopausal, they have a physical or learning disability, cultural barriers, or are a survivor of sexual violence,” says Athena Lamnisos from charity The Eve Appeal.

A man in his 70s has been arrested in connection to the fire.

A man has been arrested after a fire at a barn in Lakenheath. Suffolk Police were called to Back Street by Suffolk Fire & Rescue at around 11:30pm on Thursday, January 29, with reports that a barn that was completely engulfed in flames.

Emergency services attended and a man in his 20s was found inside of the barn. He was taken to hospital for treatment to severe burns, where he remains in a critical but stable condition.

A man in his 70s has been arrested on suspicion of false imprisonment and on suspicion of the cultivation of cannabis. He was taken to Bury St Edmunds Police Investigation Centre for questioning.

He has been released on police bail. Officers are appealing to anyone with information or who had recent use of the building to come forward.

Anyone who witnessed the incident or saw anything suspicious in the area before the incident should contact West CID at Suffolk Police quoting 37/5794/26 via their website or by calling 101.

You can also call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800555111.

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The WASPI campaign is consulting lawyers about a fresh judicial review after the Government refused compensation to 1950s-born women affected by state pension age changes

The WASPI campaign (Women Against State Pension Inequality) has stepped up its calls for DWP compensation, despite the Government recently stating there would be no financial redress. Labour ministers addressed the Commons last week on January 29 to confirm that no compensation would be offered to the 1950s-born women represented by WASPI and similar campaign groups.

Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden told Parliament: “The evidence shows that the vast majority of 1950s-born women already knew the state pension age was increasing thanks to a wide range of public information, including through leaflets, education campaigns, information in GP surgeries, on TV, radio, cinema and online. To specifically compensate only those women who suffered injustice would require a scheme that could reliably verify the individual circumstances of millions of women.”

WASPI condemned the decision as a “disgraceful political choice” that showed “utter contempt” for the affected women. The campaign represents the generation of women who were impacted when the state pension age for women increased from 60 to 65 and later to 66.

They argue that the DWP failed to properly inform them of the changes, with many remaining oblivious until the last moment, upending their retirement plans when they discovered the news. The Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman had previously investigated the matter, finding there was ‘maladministration’ by the DWP, as they should have sent notification letters to the women far sooner.

The Ombudsman also recommended financial compensation for the affected women, ranging from £1,000 to £2,950. In December 2024, Labour announced they would not provide compensation, reports the Mirror.

The Government subsequently reversed this position, stating they would reassess the matter due to new evidence they needed to examine. However, in their most recent decision, the Government said once more there would be no financial settlements.

The WASPI campaign is now urging its members to contact their local MPs, pressing them to demand a Parliamentary vote on the issue. In the Ombudsman’s report, the watchdog called for Parliament to address the matter.

Numerous MPs individually support the WASPI cause, as well as some political parties including the Liberal Democrats and Green Party. WASPI had sought a judicial review of the earlier ruling, though this was resolved out of court after the Government pledged to revisit their decision.

Angela Madden, chair of the WASPI campaign, said the organisation is consulting with lawyers regarding a potential fresh judicial review application. She said: “We would welcome it, if the lawyers think there is a different way to go, we would welcome that as well.”

She said they expect to receive guidance from their legal team shortly. If you want to file a judicial review of such a decision, it must be submitted within three months.

Ms Madden said: “The only people who can get this for us are Parliament. So we have to impress on Parliament that they simply must do it. The way the DWP has behaved is undemocratic. They are defending themselves, and the Ombudsman is so that we are protected from departments defending themselves.”

She said the campaigners feel “insulted”, particularly as the Government’s decision relied on a 2014 survey suggesting the women would not remember getting a letter or would not read it if they had received it, and so sending out letters sooner would have made little difference.

CROOKS are using AI to clone victim’s voices and set up unauthorised direct debits over the phone.

That’s according to a watchdog that says the shocking scheme is part of “an organised criminal operation”.

Many Brits will be familiar with AI in form of helpful chatbots like OpenAI‘s ChatGPT or Google‘s Gemini.

But criminals are taking advantage of AI for an entirely different purpose: raiding your bank account.

That’s according to National Trading Standards, which says that the sickening con begins with a “seemingly harmless lifestyle survey phone call”.

This call is actually designed to gather as much info about you as possible, including details about your personal life, health, and finances.

CLOSE CALL

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“The criminals use this data to develop AI-generated voice clones used to simulate consent for direct debits, deceiving even legitimate businesses and financial providers,” the watchdog explains.

“These details appear then to be passed or sold to other criminal operations who, with the details, can easily circumvent the banks and set up payments without the victim’s knowledge.

“Victims often do not realise payments are being taken.”

Scamming is rife: Brits receive seven scam calls or texts on average every month.

And NTS has blocked nearly 21 million scam calls in six months.

As part of that work, the watchdog has shut down more than 2,000 phone numbers.

To make their scams even more convincing for victims and banks, crooks are turning to AI.

“What we’re seeing is a deeply disturbing combination of old and new: traditional phone scams supported by disturbing new techniques,” said Louse Baxter MBE, who heads up the NTS’ scams team.

“Criminals are using AI not just to deceive victims, but to trick legitimate systems into processing fraudulent payments.

“This is no longer just a nuisance – it’s a coordinated, sophisticated operation targeting some of the most situationally vulnerable consumers in society.

“We urge everyone to speak to friends and relatives about scam calls, check bank statements regularly and report anything suspicious.”

NTS says that Brits are being cold-called and then coerced into providing details to the criminals.

This allowed crooks to take “continuous payments” from the accounts of victims.

And because this happens in the background, it’s possible for victims to not even realise their accounts are quietly being emptied.

“This alarming new twist in phone-based fraud shows just how quickly criminals are exploiting emerging technologies to prey on the public,” said John Herriman, the Chartered Trading Standards Institute chief.

“Voice cloning takes scam calls to a sinister new level, making it even harder for legitimate businesses and consumers to distinguish real interactions from fraudulent ones.

“Trading Standards teams across the UK are working tirelessly to disrupt these operations, but we need the public to stay alert, talk to loved ones about the risks, and report anything suspicious.

“Protecting consumers, especially those most vulnerable, requires all of us to stay informed and work together to tackle these modern day and emerging examples of fraud.”

Voice-cloning technology isn’t new – it’s been around for several years.

Tools to clone voices can be accessed cheaply and easily online, making the process relatively straightforward.

An AI tool can capture and replicate your voice with just a few seconds of audio.

STAYING SAFE

We spoke to Louise Baxter from the NTS, who shared advice for Sun readers worried about this kind of con.

“It all starts with one phone call, where you think you’re talking to a real company and they ask for your bank details,” Louise told The Sun.

“So the most important advice is to never give any personal information to anyone who calls you out of the blue and without doing your own checks on who they are, no matter how genuine they sound.

“But the criminals are clever and anyone can be a victim of a scam.

“With the growing use of sophistication and AI in scams, we should all get into the habit of checking our bank statements regularly to make sure we recognise all the payments that are going out.

“We’re also urging people to talk to friends and relatives who may be more vulnerable to scam phone calls, to help them stay safe.”

Louise also recommended visiting their website for advice – http://www.friendsagainstscams.org.uk – as well as instructions for downloading the NTS’ new scam-fighting app.